The Government of Dominica is being challenged by the United Progressive Party (UPP) to make public the contracts for several of the country’s largest infrastructure projects, with party leadership saying greater transparency is needed to strengthen accountability and public confidence.
In a statement dated July 7, 2026, the opposition party, led by Joshua Francis, urged the government to disclose the agreements governing the international airport, cable car and Cabrits Marina developments, which it said involve investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars and will have significant long-term implications for the country’s economy, environment, public finances and future generations.
The UPP identified the projects as the international airport, being undertaken by Montreal Management Consultants (MMC) and China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group (CR5); the cable car project, awarded to Austria’s Doppelmayr Group in partnership with ABL Holdings; and the Cabrits Marina development, involving Range Developments, with a separate international marina operator expected to manage the facility upon completion. The party noted that the marina operator has not yet been publicly identified.
According to the UPP, while the government has regularly provided updates on construction progress and outlined the expected economic benefits of the projects, details of the contractual arrangements have not been made available to the public. The party also alleges that there is public suspicion of what it described as possible “sweetheart” deals and argues that the absence of public disclosure and parliamentary oversight raises concerns about accountability and the management of national resources.
The UPP said Dominicans have a right to know the government’s financial obligations under each agreement, any guarantees or concessions granted to contractors or developers, the procurement process used to award the contracts, whether cost-benefit analyses were conducted, the performance standards and penalties included in the agreements, and the long-term financial implications of the projects.
“Transparency is not an obstacle to development—it is the foundation of public trust,” the party stated.
The UPP is calling on the government to publish the full contracts and any amendments related to the three projects, disclose the procurement process used for each award, provide Parliament and the public with detailed financial reports outlining project financing, contractual obligations and long-term liabilities, and commit to making future contracts for major public infrastructure projects readily accessible.
The party said its request should not be interpreted as opposition to development, emphasizing that it supports sustainable development rooted in transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
“The people of Dominica deserve more than announcements and ceremonial groundbreaking events. They deserve access to the agreements that will shape the country’s future and determine how public resources are managed.”
The statement concluded by saying, “Good governance demands openness. Democracy demands accountability.”
The UPP added that it remains committed to protecting the interests of Dominican citizens and advocating for transparency and integrity in government.
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Read full statement below:
